How to Prevent Mold in a San Pedro Home

Mold needs moisture. In San Pedro, the marine layer, morning fog and salt air keep homes damper than a few miles inland, so controlling indoor humidity matters more here. The steps below follow EPA guidance and cost little or nothing.

Cutaway of a raised-floor San Pedro house showing six moisture spots: bathroom without a fan, window condensation, drips under sinks, closets on outside walls, a damp crawl space, and gutters at the foundation — Six places moisture usually hides in older San Pedro homes. Tap the picture to enlarge it.

Keep indoor humidity in range

The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent.

Buy an inexpensive hygrometer (humidity gauge) and check it in the dampest room.
Run a dehumidifier in rooms that stay above 60 percent, especially in May and June when the marine layer sits over the harbor.
On dry, sunny afternoons, open windows on both sides of the house to air it out.

Dry water fast

The EPA says to dry wet materials and belongings within 24 to 48 hours to stop mold from starting. After a leak or overflow:

Stop the water.
Pull up wet rugs and move furniture away from wet walls.
Run fans and a dehumidifier until the area is fully dry.
If drywall or insulation stayed wet longer than two days, have it checked. (What a water damage company does.)

Vent moisture outside

Run the bathroom fan during showers and for 20 minutes after, or open a window.
Make sure the dryer vents outside, not into the garage or crawl space.
Use the range hood when cooking, especially when boiling water.

Watch for condensation

Cool coastal mornings cause condensation on windows, outside walls and cold-water pipes. Wipe window sills dry, keep a gap between furniture and outside walls, and insulate sweating pipes.

Check the spots that hide moisture

Crawl spaces under raised floors: look for standing water, damp soil and blocked vents.
Closets on ocean-facing walls: leave doors open or add a small dehumidifier.
Gutters and downspouts: keep water flowing away from the foundation.
Under sinks: check for slow drips every few months.

When prevention isn’t enough

If mold covers more than about 10 square feet, keeps coming back, or you can smell it but not find it, call (number coming soon) to talk with a local mold professional.

Source: U.S. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.